Too much heat means too few people at Kane County Fair
It was more of the same Thursday at the Kane County Fair as the heat kept many patrons away from the fairgrounds.
The second day of the fair had vendors and others saying the same thing: It’s just too hot outside with a heat index of 100 degrees.
“(Wednesday) was a disappointment. The hot weather just kind of kept people away,” Kane County Fair Board President Larry Breon said. “We expected 8,000 to 10,000 on Wednesday and we probably didn’t even have half of that. Not a very good attendance.”
Vendor Angie Collachia, from Arkansas, waited for someone to approach her booth.
“Normally you wouldn’t have time to talk, we would be too busy serving people,” said Collachia, originally from Oak Lawn, who has worked at the fair for six years. “The heat is just terrible. Way worse than last year.”
The temperature also might force some chickens home early. Gerry DeDina, superintendent of poultry, said with competition complete, 4-H’ers can decide if they want to take their chickens home. They are also keeping a close eye to make sure all of the chickens are well hydrated.
“We have fans on them and we’re rotating their water,” DeDina said. “We spray them with water every couple of hours.”
The heat did not keep eager kids 5 to 15 years old away from the Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest. This competition has been going on for 37 years in eight different states, but this was its first time in Kane County.
Choosing the smelliest sneaker was a tough decision for the four judges, which included Breon. There was a four-way tie and then a two-way tie until 10-year-old Benjamin Wehrle of West Dundee took home the golden sneaker, free Odor-Eaters supplies and $200.
“This is awesome,” Wehrle said, smiling broadly. “I’ve never won anything before.”
There were 10 kids competing which, according to contest organizer Joy Robinson, is fewer than expected.
“This is one of the smaller amount of kids we’ve had, but the reason has to be the heat,” Robinson said. “We usually have 25 to 30 kids compete.”
Wehrle said the reason he won was because of all the manure he had on his shoe from the petting zoo. His mother, Stephanie, wasn’t quite sure if she should be happy or concerned that her son won.
“I guess it makes me look bad,” she said. “They’re going in the wash as soon as we get home.”
If you go
<B>Where:</B> Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, at Route 64, in St. Charles.
<B>When: </B>Noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
<B>Admission:</B> $8 daily, free for children 5 and younger. A season pass is $20.
<B>Friday forecast:</B> Sunny, chance of a thunderstorm, high of 92 degrees with a heat index of 103 degrees, according to AccuWeather.
<B>Friday highlights:</B> Friday is Super Saver Day when patrons can pay $15 and get unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. The Grandstand event will feature Professional Championship Bull Riding at 7 p.m. Caozz, a local band, and Hi Infidelity, an 80s rock cover band, will play at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively, at the Miller Lite Live Sound Stage. There is also beef judging at 8:30 a.m. and horse and pony fun day.
<B>Details:</B> www.kanecountyfair.com or call (630) 584-6926.